Mo Jingqi gazed darkly at the spirited Mo Jingli before him. Though circumstances had forced him to reconcile with this brother, it didn’t mean Mo Jingqi had truly forgotten Mo Jingli’s past rebellious actions – even now, his dear brother still controlled vast territories south of the Yunlan River. Not wanting to deal with Mo Jingli, Mo Jingqi could only turn his attention to the Empress Dowager and Empress emerging from the palace gates, and Princess Imperial Fuxi and Princess Imperial Zhaoyang who were walking toward the palace gates after dismounting from their carriages. He said flatly, “Mother, Empress, why have you come?”
Before the Empress Dowager could speak, the Empress walked forward, lifted her robes slightly, and knelt, saying in a deep voice, “The Xu clan of Cloud Prefecture has served Great Chu loyally with merit lasting thousands of years. Please, Your Majesty, reconsider.” Several consorts following the Empress, though not favored, were virtuous women from scholarly families and also knelt together, saying in unison, “Please, Your Majesty, reconsider.”
Mo Jingqi’s face darkened, but before he could speak, Princess Imperial Fuxi and Princess Imperial Zhaoyang had approached. The Princess Imperial pushed away the palace maid supporting her and knelt beside the Empress, saying, “What crime has the Xu family committed that Your Majesty would confiscate their property? Please show us!” Princess Imperial Zhaoyang said nothing but directly knelt beside the Princess Imperial, her meaning clear – whatever the Princess Imperial said represented her thoughts as well.
“You… you…” Mo Jingqi trembled with anger, but given Princess Imperial Fuxi’s status and seniority, he couldn’t let her continue kneeling at the palace gates. He hurriedly ordered nearby palace maids to help her up, saying, “Grand-aunt, whatever the matter is, let’s discuss it after returning to the palace. You… why have you returned to the capital?” But the Princess Imperial wouldn’t accept his courtesy, saying coldly, “I am old and useless now, and dare not hope that Your Majesty would listen to the counsel of us elderly ones. However, the Xu family’s merits to Great Chu are truly immeasurable. Even if they had committed some wrong – which they haven’t – Your Majesty should show leniency. Though I am old and muddle-headed, I must still come to plead with Your Majesty. Please investigate the Xu family’s matter.” This speech from the Princess Imperial nearly made Mo Jingqi faint with anger, yet he remained speechless. Looking at the growing crowd of scholars, officials, and even common people gathering at the palace gates, Mo Jingqi felt his vision darkening – today’s situation would not be easily resolved.
Standing to the side, Mo Jingli was in an extraordinarily good mood. When he had earlier risked rebellion, though he only temporarily occupied most of the Jiangnan region, it was much better than before. People said Mo Jingli was the current Emperor’s beloved younger brother who enjoyed favor and honor, but with his imperial brother’s nature, how could he truly be willing to share power? In the capital, he was only slightly better off in appearance than other princes. Now, however, he controlled the wealthy Jiangnan region, and though his imperial brother might be furious, he could do nothing about it. Come to think of it, he owed Mo Xiuyao a great favor. If Mo Xiuyao weren’t now occupying the Northwest, making his imperial brother extremely wary, he wouldn’t be able to return to the capital so openly now. Seeing Mo Jingqi’s face turned black with anger, Mo Jingli maintained a neutral expression, though he was delighted inside.
“Grand-aunt, Aunt Zhaoyang, Imperial Sister-in-law, what are you doing? Please rise – Imperial Brother is wise and will surely give the Xu family justice,” Mo Jingli stepped forward and respectfully urged.
But his urging only made things worse, undoubtedly reminding Mo Jingqi that now not only were the capital’s scholars, common people, and court officials against him, but even his grand-aunt, aunt, and empress were opposing him. Thinking of this, blood rushed to his head, and Mo Jingqi shouted furiously, “The Xu family has committed treason – their crime warrants execution! By imperial decree, confiscate all the Xu family’s property and execute them all!” At these words, an immediate uproar broke out at the palace gates. Standing to the side, Mo Jingli’s lips curved into a faint, cold smile. As the kneeling crowd tried to speak again, Mo Jingqi, already burning with rage, cut them off: “Whoever dares to plead further shares the Xu family’s crime!”
Everyone was stunned. Suddenly, an elderly man in the crowd stood up and called out loudly, “Your Majesty, the Xu family is innocent – please investigate clearly!”
Mo Jingqi’s eyes narrowed, shooting out cold light. He naturally recognized this elder – the former Chief Imperial Censor who had retired. When he was in court, Mo Jingqi had greatly disliked this old man who was always telling him what he shouldn’t do, so from before Mo Jingqi’s ascension when he was already Chief Imperial Censor until his retirement three years ago, he had never been promoted. “You have great audacity – do you take my imperial decree as mere wind in your ears?”
The old man said tearfully, “Your old subject dares not. Your old subject is willing to trade his old life to beg Your Majesty to withdraw the decree!” With these words, he heedlessly threw himself headfirst against the palace wall. The foundation of the palace walls was built with the finest marble – when the elder’s head struck it, the white marble was instantly stained with bright red blood flowers. The elder collapsed at the base of the wall, clearly lifeless. This long-retired elder official had given his life to petition the Emperor to withdraw his decree.
“Your Majesty, your consort earnestly begs you to withdraw the decree.” The Empress stood up, gazing deeply at the man before her who was clearly in a blind rage. Since his ascension, he had been very wary of the previous reign’s elder officials and their merits, naturally also being very guarded and suspicious of her as an empress from a meritorious family. Whatever she said, he always suspected her motives and never seriously listened to half a word of her counsel. At first, she had only remembered her father’s and the previous Emperor’s teachings, wanting to be a virtuous and worthy empress who could counsel the Emperor, but gradually her heart had grown cold. But today’s matter was one she had to advise on regardless of how cold her heart had grown – if the Emperor truly confiscated the Xu family’s property, Great Chu would truly fall into chaos.
Mo Jingqi started, a flash of thought crossing his mind as he shouted, “Stop the Empress!” Everyone was startled but saw that the Empress did not move, only standing there looking somewhat helplessly at the Emperor. The Empress sighed quietly in her heart – did the Emperor think she would also give her life to petition him? As Empress and the Emperor’s wife, how could she let the Emperor bear the crime of forcing his wife and Empress to death? Mo Jingqi stared blankly at the Empress, his face alternating between green and white. The Princess Imperial beside them wasn’t so polite, saying coldly, “Since Your Majesty speaks thus, please arrest this old woman as well – this princess is willing to share the Xu family’s crime!”
With the Princess Imperial taking the lead, the people behind also called out, “Willing to share the Xu family’s crime!”
In a pavilion diagonally across from the palace gates, a half-covered window provided a perfect view of the scene at the gates, while those outside couldn’t see those inside. The clamor from outside naturally carried into the pavilion. By the window, Leng Haoyu lazily leaned against it drinking wine from a cup. Sitting opposite him was a man in white robes, elegant and refined, his eyebrows slightly raised, radiating a lotus-like purity that made him seem almost otherworldly – who else but Xu Qingchen? When Xu Qingchen learned that Ye Li had returned safely and was with child, he knew it would inevitably cause trouble, and the Xu family couldn’t easily extricate themselves from it. So while quickly handling matters in the South, he had rushed to Cloud Prefecture, had a deep discussion with his grandfather and father after returning to Cloud Prefecture, and then hurried to the capital. He had arrived just in time to watch this good show.
Leng Haoyu observed Master Qingchen, his eyes showing increasing appreciation. In Leng Haoyu’s view, among the five young masters of the Xu family, only Master Qingchen most resembled the Princess Consort. Usually, he was harmonious with others, making people feel as if bathed in the spring breeze, but when it came time to act, his methods were sharp and he showed no hesitation.
“In such circumstances, what does Master Qingchen think Mo Jingqi will do?” Leng Haoyu was a martial artist, his eyesight far surpassing ordinary people’s, and he could see Mo Jingqi’s expression and complexion at the palace gates. Opposite him, Xu Qingchen merely held a cup of clear tea, his manner leisurely and peaceful, as he smiled faintly and said, “Mo Jingqi is ruthless yet lacks resolve. In today’s situation, no matter who set it up, he cannot resolve it. If at the start he had used iron-blooded methods to execute a few people, the rest would naturally have quieted down. If he hadn’t been indecisive with Mo Jingli initially, how would Prince Li have today’s power? Speaking more broadly, if ten years ago he had eliminated Prince Ding at any cost, how would today’s situation exist? With such a nature, even in peaceful times, he couldn’t be called a ruler who maintains prosperity, let alone now when chaos approaches – he can only be manipulated by others.”
Leng Haoyu felt a chill in his heart as he looked with reverence at the handsome man before him. Master Qingchen’s scholarly reputation was known throughout the land, and he was even more famous for being above worldly matters, yet unexpectedly he would speak such satirical yet incisive words. Nodding to show agreement with Xu Qingchen’s view, Leng Haoyu turned his gaze back to the city gates, his eyes brightening as he smiled and said, “The good show is coming!”
As the standoff continued at the palace gates, a clear and steady voice was heard from not far away: “Your subject, Xu Hongyan, greets Your Majesty.”
Everyone turned around to see Xu Hongyan approaching in great strides, wearing not official robes but simple white civilian clothes. Two steps behind him was Xu Qingbai, similarly dressed in civilian clothes. Seeing him, many people called out “Lord Xu has come” and such. Though Xu Hongyan’s reputation didn’t match his father’s and elder brother’s, he had also been a famous scholar of Great Chu in his day. However, being confined to the capital in his youth and serving as a powerless Imperial Censor of middling rank, he naturally couldn’t match his father and elder brother in Cloud Prefecture who had taught students who now filled the world. Xu Hongyan walked to the palace gates, respectfully bowed to Mo Jingqi and the others, saying, “Your humble subject Xu Hongyan greets Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress.” Behind him, Xu Qingbai also made his greetings.
Princess Imperial Zhaoyang frowned slightly and said, “Lord Xu, why have you come here?”
Xu Hongyan smiled faintly and said, “Reporting to the Princess, how could I not know when the Xu family matter has caused such an uproar throughout the city? I am grateful for the Princess and everyone’s pleas on the Xu family’s behalf. I, Hongyan, thank you here. And also… Elder Lord Li…” Looking at the old man’s body at the base of the palace wall, Xu Hongyan sighed deeply, his eyes reddening. He bowed deeply to the elder’s body and said, “The Xu family has received such profound kindness from Elder Lord Li, we truly have no way to repay it.”
After completing these gestures, Xu Hongyan turned to address the crowd kneeling behind him: “Thank you all for pleading on the Xu family’s behalf, but… this is a Xu family matter. Others shouldn’t be implicated because of the Xu family’s faults. Please, everyone, return home. Xu Hongyan is here to respectfully receive His Majesty’s decree.” Kneeling beside him, Xu Qingbai likewise said, “The Xu family’s fourth son, Xu Qingbai, is here.”
Mo Jingqi gave a cold laugh, staring at the two men, and said, “So you two are admitting guilt?”
Xu Qingbai smiled faintly and said, “If the ruler wants a subject to die, how can the subject not die? If Your Majesty wants to confiscate the Xu family’s property and execute us all, how dare the Xu family not comply? Only, I wonder what crime Your Majesty wants us to admit to?”
This behavior from Xu Qingbai and Xu Hongyan only increased the crowd’s favorable impression of them, while simultaneously intensifying their dissatisfaction with the Emperor. Mo Jingqi sensed the displeasure of the kneeling officials and royal relatives, and if things continued this way, who knew what else might happen today? Closing his eyes and forcefully suppressing his anger, he said, “Send Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai back to the Imperial Censor’s residence. Without my order, no one is allowed to meet with them!” With that, he ignored everyone’s reactions and turned to enter the palace gates. Though Mo Jingqi appeared to leave in anger, in truth, he had suffered considerable torment these past few days, and today’s anger had been particularly severe – if he didn’t leave, he feared he wouldn’t be able to maintain his composure.
Standing to the side, Prime Minister Liu waved his hand for people to escort Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai back to their residence. Though they hadn’t been able to confiscate the Xu family’s property today, the irreparable rift between the Xu family and the court was now settled, and the Liu family’s ascension to Great Chu’s premier family was only a matter of time.
After Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai again thanked those who had knelt to plead their case, they were escorted away, and the crowd at the palace gates gradually dispersed. Seeing this scene, Mo Jingli smiled thoughtfully before following the Empress Dowager into the palace. Princess Imperial Zhaoyang watched the gradually quieting palace gates and sighed helplessly, looking at Princess Imperial beside her and saying, “Grand-aunt…” The Princess Imperial shook her head, her aged face showing additional weariness, as she took Princess Imperial Zhaoyang’s hand and said, “The Emperor is confused… well, Zhaoyang, come stay with this old woman for a few days.” Princess Imperial Zhaoyang smiled and said, “There aren’t many people at Zhaoyang Palace anyway – if Grand-aunt doesn’t mind, Zhaoyang would be delighted.” Supporting the Princess Imperial into her carriage, the two carriages then departed one after another toward the outskirts of the city.
Sitting upstairs having watched the entire show, Leng Haoyu laughed heartily and said, “Master Qingchen is brilliant – Lord Xu leaving this way is much better than leaving directly before.” Not only did it strike at Mo Jingqi but also preserved the Xu family’s reputation. Now it was the imperial family who had wronged the Xu family, not the Xu family who had wronged the imperial family. Xu Qingchen stood up, glanced at the now-empty palace gates, and smiled faintly, saying, “Just one more show to perform, then we can leave the capital.”
Leng Haoyu said, “How did Master Qingchen know Mo Jingqi would take action? What if he hadn’t acted – would we have had to put on a show ourselves?” Xu Qingchen lowered his head to drink tea, smiling as he said, “No need. Even if Mo Jingqi hadn’t acted, someone would have helped him act.”
Meanwhile, after Mo Jingqi returned to the palace, he naturally had another outburst of fury. In front of everyone in the palace, he mercilessly berated the consorts who had knelt with the Empress to plead and was about to send them to the Cold Palace when the Empress stepped forward and said, “Today’s matter began with your consort. If Your Majesty wishes to punish, then punish me as well.” Mo Jingqi was furious – though he had always been wary of this Empress and showed her no favor, she was still the principal wife bestowed by his father the Emperor, and before his ascension, they had shared a period of mutual support. So he had always given her sufficient respect. Hearing the Empress speak thus, Mo Jingqi laughed coldly and said, “So you still know you’re my Empress? Making me lose face in front of the entire capital?” The Empress lowered her gaze and said calmly, “The Xu family is different from others, being closely tied to Great Chu’s fortunes. If the Xu family truly had treasonous intentions, your consort would not dare object to any of Your Majesty’s decisions. But Your Majesty, does the Xu family?”
Mo Jingqi choked, and meeting the Empress’s calm, bright eyes, he could say nothing. After a long while, he finally waved his hand in embarrassed anger and said, “Everyone else get out! As for the Empress, stay in your palace and don’t come out! Affairs of the inner palace will be handled by Noble Consort Liu.” The Empress didn’t object, rising and saying, “Thank you, Your Majesty. Your consort takes her leave. Sisters, come with me.” The consorts naturally couldn’t ask for more – they had willingly joined the Empress in pleading for the Xu family today, and the Empress had just saved them, making them even more grateful to her. They had never been favored in the palace anyway, so naturally, they had no expectations of the Emperor.
Watching the Empress leave with the others, Mo Jingqi swept an antique porcelain vessel from the table, shattering it. From outside came a palace servant’s report, “Your Majesty, Prince Li requests an audience.”
“Tell him to get lost!” Mo Jingqi roared. Noble Consort Liu stood beside him, coldly watching his manic rage, a flash of contempt passing through her eyes.
Three days after the events at the palace gates, in the deep of night, the Imperial Censor’s residence suddenly caught fire, followed by sounds of killing. By the time the city guard’s officers and those in the inner city who had good relations with the Xu family arrived, the entire residence was already in ruins. The people who rushed into the residence found only one or two servants who had escaped disaster; the rest were charred corpses burned by the fire, impossible to distinguish between Xu family members and assassins. However, someone at the scene accidentally stepped on a half-burned imperial guard’s token. Though the palace quickly sent people to take over the scene and drive away all outsiders, certain information still spread secretly in the shadows. The entire capital fell into an even more strange and heavy atmosphere.
Twenty li outside the capital, on a secluded path, Leng Haoyu clasped his hands and smiled, saying, “Lord Xu, Master Qingchen, Fourth Young Master, take care on your journey.”
Two plain, unremarkable carriages stood by the roadside. Xu Qingchen sat in one carriage and smiled faintly at Leng Haoyu, saying, “Thank you for your trouble in this matter, Young Master Leng. Take care.” Leng Haoyu smiled and said, “Working for the Prince is our duty as subordinates – what trouble? You will have dark guards and Qilin secretly protecting you along the way, so don’t worry about safety. As for the servants of the Imperial Censor’s residence, I will arrange everything properly, so please be at ease, Lord Xu.”
Xu Hongyan nodded and said, “Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Leng. We take our leave.”
“Take care on your journey, everyone.” Leng Haoyu smiled and nodded, clearing the path. The carriages slowly moved forward. In the rear carriage sat Lady Xu, and beside her was not her usual personal maid but rather Miss Qin from the Qin family, Miss Qin Zheng. Like Lady Xu, Qin Zheng wore ordinary cloth garments, yet was still beautifully captivating. However, one hand clutched Lady Xu’s clothes, clearly showing her unease at leaving home for the first time. Lady Xu patted her hand lovingly and smiled, saying, “Zheng’er, I’m sorry for your hardship. In the future, Aunt will have Ze’er arrange a grand wedding for you.” Qin Zheng’s pretty face reddened as she said softly, “Since I’m betrothed to the Second Young Master, what hardship could there be?” Lady Xu watched her with increasing affection, smiling kindly and saying, “Good child, if Qingze dares to bully you, Mother will stand up for you!”
“Aunt…”
In early September, the Imperial Censor’s residence was attacked by assassins, and the entire mansion was consumed by fire.
Ten days later, Miss Qin Zheng of the Qin family, who had been betrothed since childhood to the Xu family’s second son, fell ill and passed away within half a month.